In an op-ed in The Advocate, HRC Foundation’s Director Children, Youth and Families Program Ellen Kahn wrote about creating transgender friendly schools.

“We believe that parents…shouldn't have to rely on luck or happenstance to assure that their transgender children are learning in safe, affirming and inclusive schools,” Kahn wrote. “We believe that parents of transgender youth shouldn't have to fight — or expect a fight — when they advocate that their children are treated with respect and kept safe while at school.”

HRC is proud to release the guide with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Gender Spectrum, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Education Association.

“It might surprise you that here at HRC more than half the calls we get through our Welcoming Schools program are from teachers and administrators asking for guidance on supporting transgender children,” Kahn continued. “And while we applaud schools that are proactively working to support transgender students, we know from our work with educators as well as transgender youth and their families, that experiences like Surridge’s are often exceptions to the rule.”

More information on HRC Foundation's work with LGBT youth can be found here, and its resources on transgender children and youth can be found here.